Wedding Transportation

Wedding Transportation

Contract-Get Everything in Writing
Getting Started
Ask the Experts
Etiquette Tips
Private Car & Limousine Service
Planning the Wedding Transportation
transportation
determine the number of cars you will need
interview local transportation services over the phone or in person
confirm driving times
don't cram everyone into one limousine
Driving to the Ceremony
Dollars and Sense
Limousines
Cut your Transportation Costs
Questions & Answers
Newspaper Headlines
Legal Questions & Answers (parking tickets)
Money Saving Tip
Personal Driver Duties
Mishaps & Disasters
Decorating Ideas for the Car
Car Wax Tip
Etiquette Tips
Legal Question & Answer ( damage at the car wash)
Mishaps & Disasters
Tipping Tips (airport shuttle & carwash)
Cinderella Carriage
Unique Modes of Transportation
Do your Homework
A Trolley Good Time
May I Call you a Cab
Taxi Tip
Legal Questions & Answers (taxis)
Taxis
Accessibility
Bus Charter
Bus Tour
Charter Buses--Bus Tours
Travel Cards
Transportation Cards
Maps
Parking Valet
Parking Security
Parking Attendant
Last Minute Wedding Disasters
Garage Attendants
Parking Garage
Parking Arrangements Card
Parking Lot Danger
Legal Questions & Answers (car rental)
Mishap & Disaster
Rental Car Industry Pursuing Customers for Tinest Damage
Money Saving Tip
Do your Homework
Are you Covered when You Rent a Car?
Auto Rentals

Free Report: Better Business Bureau (Renting a Limousine) Resource Library

Wedding Contract-Get It in Writing
It never happened if it is not in writing. Your wedding planning should result in many written contracts to protect yourself. Smart people planning their weddings make sure the details are in writing. Your wedding planning journey is incomplete without written contracts for everything from your reception venue, photographer, wedding cake and more.

It is not enough to like the vendor you meet, and it doesn’t matter if you like them. It is insignificant, is it is a reputable company.

Unless you have binding, written, and signed contract, it never happened. Just think of all the hard work you put in could be wasted without written proof to protect you. Keep in mind that a written contract not only protects the consumer, it also protects the vendor. It is good for everyone.

There are so many details that have to be done for your wedding that it is impossible to keep it all in your head. You may have all the details you want in your written notes but those details must find their way to the official written contract. You may show up for your reception only to find that the room is not available for another 3 hours, because there was a scheduling conflict. To make it worse, when you look in your contract the time of your reception is not noted. Because you allowed such an important detail to be omitted from the contract you are not protected. You may learn that the chef decided to substitute lobster with shrimp.

The details above are only a couple of examples to show you how important it is to include details in your contract. Never assume anything, include it in the contract. Even if you think it is trivial to worry about such details, include it all in the contract to protect yourself.

Getting a written contract is worthless unless you fully understand it. That means you have to carefully read it. You may ask a wedding planner or an attorney to go over it with you to make sure you are not missing anything important. Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into signing any contract before reading it. If you are being pressured to sign on the spot, it is time to walk. Source: George Meszaros

Transportation
National Limousine Association www.limo.org

Getting Started: How Far in Advance?
For most limousine companies, you may not need to start looking until a month or two before your wedding date. If limos are popular in your area and you have a wedding date in the busy summer months, consider planning three months in advance. For carriage companies, you may also have to plan farther in advance because the demand is greater and the supply limited.

Should you be creating a lot of congestion at a busy intersection, you may also need to hire an off-duty police officer or security guard to direct traffic.

Overindulgence isn't unheard of at bachelor and bachelorette bashes, so arrange for a limo, shuttle, trolley, or taxis to prevent anyone from drinking and driving.

If you are dealing with a limousine company, send them a typed list of the names of all the people who are supposed to be in any one car at any one time, going to each location. Give them specific times. Make sure the best man has a copy of this sheet, as well as the bride's parents, because among them, they should see that everything goes smoothly. Each member of the wedding party should know the number of the car in which she is supposed to ride every time there is a movement of people from one place to another.

It is very nice if, at the conclusion of the religious services, there is a bottle of champagne well chilled in an ice bucket in the back of the limo---plus two champagne glasses---for the bride and groom on their ride from the church to the reception. (The limo service will handle that, or the best man or the father of the bride can make it happen).

Vehicle Occupancy
Take a look at the following occupancy guidelines to figure out which type of vehicle best suits your needs.

Bus Seats 45 to 60 (a school bus will seat more)
Double Decker Bus Seats 65
Limo Bus, Limo Coach, or Party Bus Seats 18 to 28

Golf Cart Seats 2 to 6
Limousine Seats 6
Lincoln Town Car. Luxury Sedan Seats 2 to 4

Minivan Seats 7
Passenger Shuttle Seats 15 to 33
Stretch Hummer/Lincoln Navigator/Cadillac Escalade Seats 12 to 22

Stretch Limousine Seats 12 to 14
SUV Seats 5 to 7
Trolley Seats 22 to 30
Van Seats 12 to 15

Tunes for the Ride
An easy way to make the guests trip feel like part of your wedding? Give the driver music ahead of time put together a compilation of your favorite songs, if you're so inclined. And don't forget to set the proper mood in your own car as well. It will help make your ride a respite from the commotion of the day.

Dollars and Sense
Before you start negotiation with a limo company, consider all of your transportation needs. Will you need a car to take you to the airport the day after the wedding? Will you require transportation to and from the bachelor/bachelorette parties to prevent driving under the influence? Will you need to send a car to pick up anyone special at the airport? Are you hosting other outings over the weekend that will call for a bus or shuttle? Are you shuttling guests to the airport the day after the wedding?

Traditionally, the bride's side of the family covered the expense of getting the bride and her attendants to the wedding, and the groom's side footed the bill for getting the guys to the wedding. No matter who actually pays which bill, don't let one side of the family hire one limo service and the other side work with another. Chances are better that everything will run smoothly if all of your dealings are centralized with one company, and you want to bundle all of your transportation together for the purposes of negotiation--the more business you're discussing, the more likely you are to get a break in price.

Wedding Wisdom
"If you've hired more than one car, make sure each driver is clear as to what his or her responsibility is. On my wedding day, both limousines arrived at my home. When I inquired as to whether or not my fiancé and his ushers had been picked up yet, both drivers looked at each other and said, 'He did it.' Meanwhile, the groom to be and the ushers were having a grand old time at his parents house while guests arriving at the church had to seat themselves." Carreen

Ask the Experts
Q: What if the limo doesn’t show up on our big day?

A: This is a common concern, and it has happened on occasion. Reconfirm your scheduled pickup time a week before the wedding and again the day before. Make sure you have the rental company’s phone number handy, as well as an emergency number. About an hour before your scheduled pickup time call the company to reconfirm one last time. It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan just in case, which may be as simple as hopping in your car.

Etiquette Tip:
For many couples, the stylish getaway vehicle of choice is a chauffeur-driven limousine. Contact an established, reputable limousine firm-your wedding is one day you can’t afford a reckless or late driver or an unsightly or unsafe car.

Last Minute Wedding Disasters
A limousine full of bridesmaids bound for the church was hijacked by an escaping thief and his accomplice. The concert of screams from the back seats drove him to desperation, so he chauffeured them to the church----they made it to the service only slightly late. After they got out of the stolen limo, the thieves drove off at high speed, only too glad to have the screaming damsels out of their lives and back to their wedding duties.

Private Car and Limousine Service
When you have an account with a car service or are being billed, the easiest way to handle tipping is to tell the service, when you request the driver, to add the gratuity to your bill.

If you are paying for the ride when you reach your destination, then you add the tip to the fare. In a larger city, the tip is about 20 percent. In smaller cities, it is 15 percent.

Planning the Wedding Transportation
American Helicopter Society http://www.vtol.org Email: staff@vtol.org

If your ceremony site is not within walking distance of your reception site, you'll need to consider your mode of transport from one place to the next. If you plan to hire limousines, begin looking for a reputable company the minute your ceremony and reception sites are confirmed. The sooner the better: rented limos are in high demand in peak times. Then consider the following:

Determine the number of cars you need.
Considerations include one for the bride and her father to the ceremony and for the bride and groom to the reception; a second car for the bride's mother, any children in the wedding party, and any attendants who will ride with the bride's mother and father to the reception; and a third car for the rest of the bride's attendants. If the sky's the limit and you want to hire additional cars for special guests, grandmothers, or whoever, count them in.

Interview local transportation services over the phone or in person.
Ask their advice on the number and size the cars you will need for your wedding party. Ask if you have a choice in the types of cars. Find out their minimum number of hours and what services are included in the rates. An important issue is how the drivers will be attired--make sure they will be properly dressed for the occasion.

Confirm driving times.
Drive the route to get the timing down if you have to. When it comes to weddings, it's far better to be early than to keep everyone waiting.

Make sure the members of the wedding party have transportation home from the reception site---especially if you will not be using the limousine service to do so. Be sure your attendants know their transportation arrangements. Enlist the best man to make sure all members of the wedding party (plus parents and close relatives) have transportation ready at the reception site.

Don't try to cram in the entire wedding party with you on the way to the reception.
Even if the car is a huge stretch limo, enjoy the luxury and the romance of having your mate alone with you, if only for a few minutes. This will very likely be the first time you have been alone all day and most probably the last time you will be alone until you leave the reception. Savor the moment.

Arranging transportation is a very important step in planning a wedding, and something that should not be overlooked. After all, you want to make sure your wedding party, out of town guests, and most of all, the groom, arrive at the church and reception on time.

The key to this task is organization. It is the bride’s responsibility to supply transportation, or at least arrange for it. First determine how many people need transportation, where they need to be picked up and taken to. Depending on your budget, you may consider renting limousines for the entire wedding party, or at least one to take you and your father to the church, escort you and your groom to the reception, and for your final departure.

Etiquette Tip
Driving to the Ceremony
When it is time to go to the church, the cars are waiting. The bride's mother drives away in the first, usually alone. She may, if she chooses, take her younger children or one or two bridesmaids with her; but she must reserve room for her husband, who will return from the church with her. The maid of honor, bridesmaids, and flower girls follow in as many cars as may be necessary.

The bride's car leaves last, timed to arrive at the church only a minute or two before the ceremony is to start. She drives to the church accompanied only by her father. This same car stands in front of the church until she and her husband in the place of her father drive to the reception. If limousines are not rented to transport the bridal party, close family friends are asked to act as "chauffeurs".

Once guests arrive at a destination wedding, you should take care of local travel for the weekend. Hotels can help arrange shuttle buses to outside events. If you don't have the budget to fund transportation, organize carpools so people can rent cars and ride together.

Tricks of the Trade
How to Cut Your Transport Costs in Half
With the prices of renting a limo running $200 to $400 or more, this might be a tempting budget item to axe. But how can you save?

Our suggestion: rent a luxury car like a Cadillac from your local Avis or Hertz. How much? We priced this at only $60 a day. And that doesn't include any discounts you might get as a member of AAA for example. Of course, you'll have to find a friend to drive you and someone will need to return it after the wedding, but that's a great deal.

Another idea: call a local antique or classic car organization to see if any members offer transportation services for weddings. Often collectors will offer this service for free or at a very reduced cost.

Of ask your uncle with the cool BMW to do the driving. That's free!

Q: What sort of questions should you ask the various companies you call?

A: One of the first things you want to determine is if they specialize in weddings. Many limousine companies do, but not all of them do. Some may call themselves a limousine company, but their cars are used primarily for airport pickups or executive travel around town. Ask how many weddings they've done in the past year.

One of the reasons you want a company that specializes in weddings is they understand the timetable of a wedding, and they may offer a discount if you rent more than one limousine. In addition, some companies have Just Married banners that they can hang on the car, or they'll decorate the car for you, if that's what you'd like done.

Find out the age of the cars they rent and whether they have additional resources available. For example, because limousines are used constantly, they need maintenance all the time. There is always the possibility of a car's breaking down, so you want to make sure that a limousine company has more than one car in its fleet to act as a backup in case of mechanical difficulties.

Ask if the company has a smoking policy. If you and your spouse smoke, you'll want to know that you'll be able to light up. However, some companies may prevent you from doing so. On the other hand, if you're sensitive to smoke, you don't want a driver who is going to puff all the way to the church. And you surely don't want to get into a car that smells of smoke. In fact, you might want to find out if the company has any nonsmoking cars. If they don't, ask if they'll steam clean the interior of the car so it doesn't smell of smoke.

You also need to be aware of the driver's records. Find out what the company's hiring policy for drivers is. Do they do a check on drivers who have speeding violations or arrests for hazardous driving?

Some companies may have hiring minimums, so you'll want to ask about that as well. For example, if a limousine company is very popular in your community, on Saturdays or during summer months they may be in great demand. Therefore, to make their time with your worthwhile, they might charge you for more time than you actually need the limousine.

Ask how much buffer time they allow between events. If they often schedule back to back pickups, that could be a problem. For example, if the wedding before yours runs late, then that might affect how timely the driver is in picking you up for your wedding.

Find out if the cars are air--conditioned. If you're getting married in the summer or live in a hot climate, you may assume that the cars will be air--conditioned, but some of the older models may not be.

Q: Should you get referrals or check references on a limousine company?

A: Absolutely. The companies I use have excellent drivers and have been very accommodating to me, and if you called to ask me about their service, I wouldn't hesitate to tell you how wonderful they've been to work with. As usual, it's a red flag if the company refuses to give you names and numbers for referrals.

Q: Besides providing basic transportation, what else can you expect to get from a limousine or classic car company?

A: Some companies offer certain amenities as part of the package deal. For example, champagne is normally included for you and your groom to drink on the way from the ceremony to the reception. However, some companies may offer you the opportunity to specify what brand of champagne you get. This request may incur additional charges, however.

Sometimes people want to have a fully stocked bar or at least a partial bar in the limousine. These are the sorts of details you need to arrange ahead of time.

I find that many of the limousine drivers are real hams and they get off on opening the bottle of champagne for the couple. Not only is this fun, but it also makes for a great picture for the photographer.

Talk about decent drivers. I had one driver this year who dropped the couple off at the wedding and we sent him on his way. He had fulfilled his obligation to the couple, and we didn't expect to see him again. But two hours later, he walked in the door. He said, "I forgot to give the bride and groom their luggage for their honeymoon." He remembered that it was in his trunk, and he knew the right thing to do was to return it. That was quite nice of him.

Q: You mention good--spirited drivers. How can you ensure that you get one?

A: Honestly, it's not always possible to interview the driver. However, if you have friends who have used a certain limousine company, you can ask for the name of a particular driver they liked. You can do the same with the couples you call for references.

In addition, you can ask the company how long the drivers have been with them. It will give you decent idea that they are a good company if they have drivers who have been with them for awhile.

Q: When you book the limousine for your wedding day, should you expect the company to throw in a free ride to the hotel after the reception or to the airport the next day?

A: With most of the companies I've worked with, trips like that would cost extra. Sometimes a driver will do it for free if he or she likes you, but you can't plan on that. If you need the ride to the airport the next day or home from the reception, then you're probably going to have to book that in advance.

Q: Do you need a contract with a transportation company? If so, what should that contract say?

A: Yes; make sure you have a contract. One of the most important items to include in a contract with a company that rents limousines is that if they are going to switch a limousine on you, you want to know ahead of time. For example, when you visit a company, they'll probably show you the cars they reserve specifically for weddings. However, if all those cars are booked or the one you specified breaks down, you may end up with some awful car that doesn't look anything like the limousines you originally saw. Therefore, you need to be notified in advance if another car is going to show up on your wedding day.

You also want your contract to specify what the driver's attire should be. For some companies, a suit is acceptable attire for a driver to wear, but you'll want to know that ahead of time. If they promise that the driver will be wearing a cap and gloves, put it in the contract. You want there to be a certain level of dignity to the driver. I once saw a limousine driver arrive to pick up a wedding couple, and he was wearing tennis shoes, a sweatshirt, and jeans. That was completely unacceptable.

Your contract should also spell out the places and times of pickup and any additional stops you might need to make along the way.

Q: If you decide to use a vintage car or another means of transportation on your wedding day, what do you need to keep in mind?

A: One of the neat things about hiring a classic car is the reaction you get from the crowd. If you arrive in a 1958 Jaguar, people will say, "Oh, it's cool."

As you would with any other transportation company you hire, you want to be sure that the company renting you the classic car has insurance. If you get in an accident and they're not insured, and might not be covered. You may end up in the hospital and have to pay your own bills.

Maintenance usually isn't as big a deal with classic cars as it is with limousines, because renting out the car for weddings is how some people afford their hobby. They usually have a one-car fleet. Because it's a really specialized vehicle, it will be very well maintained. In our experience with classic cars, they're usually in better running shape than an everyday car. However, if you're afraid of what might happen should the car break down, you might want to go with a company that has more than one car in stock. Then, of course, find out about the maintenance records for all the cars.

If the car is especially great--looking, make sure the owner will have the car available to you for picture taking, if you so choose.

Chauffeur
Boy 4, Allegedly Drives Uncle to Pick Up License
November 26, 1999 San Francisco Chronicle

How are Your Driving Skills?
April 26, 2000 San Francisco Chronicle
Sleeping couple surprised by car

Illnois Retests Drivers After Scandal
November 7, 2000 USA Today
The bribes for licenses case, has led to new exams for hundreds of people, most have failed.

One man didn't know how to start his car, another drove the wrong way down a one way street. Others backed up without looking or ran through stop signs. In some cases, drivers posed such a danger that state licensing examiners halted their road tests, and ordered them from behind the wheel.

Parking Tickets
Q: Kenneth was arrested and spent the night in jail for 17 unpaid parking tickets. Is this legal?

A: Yes. Most traffic tickets are also summonses, which require the driver to appear in court. If you don’t pay a ticket or appear in court in answer to the ticket summons, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.

Q: Can I be arrested if I have unpaid traffic tickets in another state?

A: Yes. Every state has the right to request another state to arrest someone who has committed a crime and then left the state. That person can be extradited, or returned, to the state would go through a complicated extradition procedure for someone who is only wanted for unpaid traffic tickets

Q: Jennifer parked her car at a two-hour meter. When she returned an hour later, one of the car wheels had a “boot” on it a metal device that locks around the tire to prevent the car from being driven away. It took her several hours and cost her $50 to have the boot removed. Jennifer thinks that she is being punished without the opportunity to defend herself. Isn’t this unconstitutional?

A: No. Most people who find boots on their cars have several unpaid parking tickets. This is one method cities use to catch scofflaws-people who ignore parking tickets. Courts have consistently ruled that using boots and towing away illegally parked cars are not unconstitutional.

Money Saving Tip
Enlist the help of a friend with a nice car, possibly a convertible. With this free option, you are more likely to be able to decorate this car with streamers and “Just Married” signs than you are with a rented car or limousine.

Personal Transportation Driver Duties
Pickup rental car
Drive couple to airport from reception
Make sure luggage is in the trunk.
Check luggage in at the airport

Take vehicle to be serviced (if personal vehicle will be used)
Appointment should be made 2 months before wedding date.

Take vehicle to be detailed the day before.
Make an appointment 1 month before the wedding date.

Decorate vehicle on the wedding day.
8Purchase auto decorations; discuss how you want it done before hand

Meet with the caterer to receive and careful place a snack for the bride and groom.
(This should be done before the bride and groom depart from the reception site)

Your best man may act as your personal chauffeur and drive you about that day.
(The maid of honor would join him).

Mishaps & Disasters
We used my husband’s company car on our wedding day. The attendant’s decorated it with shaving cream and the paint job was completely ruined. It left permanent marks of the words in the paint.

Decorating Ideas for the Car
This tradition can be cute and fun, as long as it isn’t damaging to the car, or hindering driving ability. Suggest that the decorations with “Just Married” on a large paper which can be taped to the back of the car, or suggest they use non-damaging paint. Do not let them use shaving cream, or, if they do, wash it off as soon as possible. Old shoes and tin cans along with colored streamers, ribbons, bows, bells and colorful balloons can make the car look festive

House Stuff
Source: Consumer Report May 2008
Car Wax
Black Magic Wet Shine Liquid Wax BM48016
Turtle Wax Carnauba Car Wax T-6
Both provide a glossy, durable shine. Black Magic requires more elbow grease to prevent streaking.

Etiquette Tips
Ushers must decorate carefully so as not to damage the car or obscure vision for driving:

Avoid using tulips or other flowers that may not hold up.

Use masking or floral tape or shoe polish. Avoid using glue, cellophane tape, rubber cement, and paint, which can cause damage to the car’s paint finish.

Do not write or drape streamers or balloons across windows; obstructed views are dangerous.

If it looks like rain, avoid colored crepe paper, which might bleed.

Be sure it’s the right car!

Q: Nell's car was damaged in an automatic car wash. Isn't the car wash liable for repairs?

A: Yes, if the damage was caused by defective equipment or a negligent employee, or if the instructions for operating the car wash were wrong, misleading, or incomplete. On the other hand, if the damage occurred because Nell disregarded instructions or acted recklessly, the car wash would not be liable.

Mishaps & Disasters
The bride and groom drove themselves to the reception. Their car broke down out in the country, and they had to walk three miles down that country road in their wedding attire.

Tip Sheet-Airport Shuttle
Forget calculators and tip charts---the art of tipping is all about showing appreciation, says Lizzie Post, great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post and author of How Do You Work This Life Thing? Here, Post shares the standard practices ---and when to make an exception:

Whom to tip: Driver for car service to the airport
The going rate: 15 to 20 percent of fare plus 50 cents per bag
Except when: Gratuity has been included. Some car service companies do this, so check before you ride.

Ferrying the Guests
Do you need transportation for your guests? Think of their comfort, both physical and mental. Guests should feel taken care of, and providing a shuttle in an unknown city or arranging for everyone to get back to the hotel together can make all the difference---they don't have to worry about directions, where to park, whether they'll be on time, or how many glasses of champagne they can safely imbibe at the reception.

Give serious consideration to providing transportation to guests if:

Yours is a destination wedding. They're already going to great expense to attend your wedding, so don't give them the added burden of paying for a twenty dollar cab ride to the wedding site.

You have a high percentage of out of towners.

The wedding is taking place in a city where parking is difficult to find or expensive, especially if the ceremony and reception are in two different locations. Guests shouldn't have to worry about parking or hailing a cab twice.

Although it may seem like an unnecessary extra expense, guest transportation can make such a difference in everyone's mood that I recommend providing it when possible, even if it means cutting out favors or trimming another item on your budget.

Guests are usually on their own for getting to and from the airport, but for a destination wedding in a remote spot, you may want to coordinate van service.

Whatever you do, make sure to communicate clearly with guests about transportation. Let them know well in advance whether you're providing transportation, and if not, give them names, phone numbers, and websites of car rental agencies, airport shuttle services, and taxi companies. Include this in your transportation packet, on your wedding website, or in any newsletters you send.

Tipping Etiquette
Car Wash
Tip $1 at a car wash. There is usually a pot at the end of the car wash which serves as a "kitty" and is shared among all the car washers, placed handily so that you can reach it from your car window.

Cinderella Carriage
Organizing your wedding transportation? There are some things you must consider, regarding the way to get to your church or wedding venue. Even if you are lucky enough to be living close enough to walk to church, you will still need at least one vehicle to get you to your place of marriage. Whether arriving at your wedding in a limousine, a vintage car or in a horse drawn carriage, you will most certainly have to consider cost, distance and style of your choice.

When speaking about the distance to the venue from your home, there are two possibilities; the first one applies when the distance is short, in this case only one vehicle may be necessary, which can do more than one journey. It will take your bridesmaids and mom first and come back for you and your dad or anyone who is giving you away. On the other hand, for venues further away, more than one vehicle will most likely be required.

The most romantic of all drives are the horse drawn, especially the Cinderella pumpkin carriages that resemble Katie Price’s (AKA Jordan) Cinderella carriage! There is no doubt that most women, as little girls dreamed of riding in one on their wedding day. The only drawback of this Pumpkin Cinderella carriage is that extra time will need to be allowed to get to the wedding venue and then to the reception. They are mainly suitable for short journeys or for the bride and her bridal party who leave early enough to ensure they have enough time to arrive. Another downside is the bad weather that could ruin the whole charm of the Cinderella carriage!

It would be a good idea to make sure that the carriage has a protective hood or fitted with a glass in case of this eventuality. Some companies may even be able to offer a closed carriage that has built in heating for winter weddings. Bookings must be made well in advance as summer dates especially can be booked up as far as two years in advance. Some companies will only travel within a given radius, while others will cover a very wide area. You must also take into account the fact that afterwards the horses will have to be taken back to the stables, so that the whole process including the wedding, can take up to six hours or more, minus the travel time.

Each company differs from the other in costs for hiring the horse and carriage and prices often depend on distance they have to travel to get to you. The best way to ensure you get the best deal is to research as much as possible and compare not just prices but service and reputation of the company. So get your money on hand and get yourself the Cinderella carriage you have always dreamed of!

Another means of transportation to and from the ceremony and reception is a horse drawn carriage. I've even had brides and grooms arrive on horseback. Just as a classic car will be more expensive than a limousine, a horse drawn carriage will probably be more expensive than both. For example, there's a company in my area that charges about $250 just to pick the bride and groom up and take them to the ceremony.

You're going to have some special concerns that you'll need to address if you decide to hire a horse. For example, animals can get sick, so find out if there are backups available. In addition, horses are not able to handle standing still for any length of time, so you may find yourself in a time crunch on your wedding day if the horse arrives early. The horse's driver will probably encourage you to speed things along so the animal doesn't become anxious waiting around.

However, it works the other way, too. I've been panicked many times by one company that has horse drawn carriages. They usually arrive exactly when the bride and groom are scheduled to leave the church for the reception, but it makes for a touchy time when the people may be wondering where the couple's transportation is. But when the horse does arrive, it is a spectacular sight.

Unique Modes of Transportation
Although you arrive at the church separately, you most definitely leave together- and that may be in any number of ways. Below is a list of ideas that others have tried.
An antique car is a favorite; these may be rented, or possibly borrowed from a friend.

Horse drawn carriages are romantic, although they may be hard to find in your area.
Carriage Association of America http://www.caaonline.com
A hot air balloon is definitely a unique getaway.
Balloon Federation of America http://www.bfa.net
Email: bfaoffice@bfa.net
A fire engine has been used to take a couple from the church to the reception. Check with a local fire station.

A horse drawn sleigh could be a romantic touch for a winter wedding, or one at a ski resort.

Pedi cab-a cart for two, which is pulled by a bicycle-is a novel mode of transportation, providing the distance is not too far.

Boat or gondola, if the ceremony or reception is near water.
American Boat & Yacht Council http://www.abycinc.org
Email: info@abycinc.org

Do your Homework!
Booked a trolley from company back in 2004. June 4, 2005 wedding day comes and I get a call that my white trolley is broken and not running. They can send a motor coach or a color trolley. However, they do not have a nice one to hold 26 people. They showed up 2 hours late, and got stuck in the rain, got on the trolley and it was all wet because they did not close the windows. Now the company will not give me my money back, or pay for anything that they made happen. Angelina Chicago, Ill.

A Trolley Good Time
For bridal parties that are bursting at the seams, sometimes a limousine or classic car just won't do. While some couples are turning to white vans to transport themselves and their attendants from the ceremony to the reception, others are choosing a more whimsical mode of transportation---the trolley.

One company that specializes in wedding day trolleys is the Great American Trolley Company in Cold Spring, New Jersey. This company offers a range of trackless trolleys that hold a varying number of passengers---from eighteen to twenty--seven. Each wedding trolley is white and has been given a name based on a term of endearment, such as Cutie, Lovey, and Sweetie.

To help you celebrate, the trolleys are often bedecked with bells, streamers, and Just Married signs. In addition, music, such as the song "Going to the Chapel" is played during the ride to the church or synagogue, and if you choose, the trolley driver can take a detour through you or your groom's neighborhood so you can wave to well wishers.

Besides renting trolleys, the Great American Trolley Company also offers minicoaches that you can offer to guests after the wedding. "The big concern now is how guests are going to get home from the reception, especially if they've been drinking," says Susan Adelizzi--Schmidt, the company's marketing director. "If guests know they have a ride waiting to take them home from the wedding, they can stay longer and have a good time." For more information, call 800- 4-Trolly

May I call you a Cab?”
Taxi cab, Limo & Para transit Association http://www.tlpa.org
Email: info@tlpa.org

If guests are driving to the wedding, have a plan in place should some overindulge. Call a taxi company and arrange to have a cab sitting outside after a designated hour. The driver can call in more cars as needed.

Any discussion of alcohol brings up the topic of watching out for those who have indulged too much. When I first started in this business, I would see people drinking too excess at almost every wedding reception; that usually is no longer the case. It doesn’t matter the age of the guests or the age of the couple-fortunately, I haven’t been seeing the overindulgence I once saw.

What I do see is a more attentive society with guests taking it upon themselves (and rightly so) to make sure others are sober enough to drive when leaving a reception. I have had couples take car keys from their guests and turn them over only when the driver was someone who had not been drinking. I have had parent’s book cab companies to come gather guests after a reception and deliver them safely to their homes or hotels.

On several occasions, couples have rented buses or trolley cars to transport guests from the reception back to the hotel.

There are all kinds of ways for you to make sure your reception guests do not leave the reception and drive under the influence of alcohol.

The best way to protect yourself from any chance of liability is to make sure that you’re working with a licensed liquor agency in your state and that bartender’s check the IDs of guests who appear to be underage. It’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure each guest who leaves is capable of driving. You don’t need your wedding day memory to be of a terrible auto accident involving one of your wedding guests. Take some time now to develop a plan for seeing that you have a safe and happy reception.

Q: Lena was getting into a taxi when the driver accidentally slammed the door shut on her hand. Is the driver or the taxi company liable for Lena’s medical expenses?

A: Both are liable. Under the law, any company that transports people for a fee must exercise the highest degree of care for the safety of its customers. Lena should be able to collect for her injury.

Q: Scott told a cab driver, "Get me to the airport in a hurry." As the cab raced away, it hit another cab. Will Scott be able to recover from the cab company for these injuries?

A: Yes. A cab driver cannot ignore his duty to transport passengers safely and to obey traffic laws simply because he is asked to hurry. Passengers have a right to expect that a cab driver will not exceed the legal speed limit or drive in a manner that is unsuitable for the traffic conditions.

Taxis
Every town has its own regulations for taxis. In New York City they are hailed on the street, or, at some transportation depots, they wait in line and receive passengers by turn. Those desiring a taxi also wait in line and it is extremely rude to push ahead or assume you are in a greater hurry than anyone else, unless you have an extreme medical emergency. In this case, you ask those in line if you may go ahead of them, explaining your situation.

In Washington D.C. taxis are zoned and may refuse a passenger traveling outside their zone.

In Los Angeles, taxis may not be hailed but must be requested by telephone. It is a good idea, if you are traveling to another town, to find out what system is used so that you are not left floundering, surrounded by suitcases or stranded in an unfamiliar area.

In many areas, it is the practice for passengers to share taxis. There is no need to exchange more than a smile and a nod in this case. The fare is charged per passenger, and each takes care of his or her own tip. In an instance where someone asks you if he may share your cab, you have every right to refuse, if you wish. If you don't mind and he is exiting before your stop, it is expected that he give you, not the taxi driver, his portion of the fare and an adequate tip, which you will add to yours upon arrival.

In a large city such as New York, you should tip a minimum of 50 cents. In general, a tip to a taxi driver is about 20 percent of the fare. For a $5 ride, tip $1, for example. If the taxi driver actually assists with your luggage or packages a slightly larger tip is in order.

If, in spite of your friendly smile, your courtesy, and your adequate tip, the driver growls a nasty remark at you as you leave the cab, you have one means of retaliation. Get out on the passenger side and walk away, leaving the cab door open.

Accessibility
When scouting sites, also think about how your guests will get there. If access is difficult, consider hiring minivans or even a bus to transport guests to and from the reception site. If the parking lot of the club is the equivalent of blocks away from the entrance, arrange valet parking (the tab and tips are on you) so that guests don't have to walk far in high heels, in the rain, or in heat.

Also, check for access for the disabled. No matter how enchanting, the tower room at the golf club isn't for you if many of your wedding guests are older or have disabilities and the room is up three flights of stairs.

The Van or Limo Service
Always get a written contract and cost estimate from the transportation companies you're dealing with, and press for an after hours contact name and number so you know whom to call in case no one shows up. Always, always get a number. Following are some other questions to check off your list.

Is there a minimum number of rental hours?

What services does the rate include?

How is the gratuity handled? Many companies automatically build in a 15 to 20 percent tip. Some companies offer you the option of adding a tip to the bill automatically or letting you handle it yourself.

How much of a deposit is required?

Does the company carry liability insurance that covers the passengers as well as the driver?

Does the company offer any wedding packages or any discounts with multiple rentals? But don't be seduced by the word package--make sure it's actually a better deal or desirable upgrade. No need to pay extra for a bottle of bad champagne.

If you're renting any vehicles that might bend the rules of the road, make sure they're permitted on the streets where you plan to use them. Golf carts may be permitted on a resort's grounds, for instance, but not on a public road. Also make sure any vehicle you'll be using on public streets is properly licensed.

Bus Charter
American Bus Association http://www.buses.org 1-800-283-2877 www.fmcsa.dot.gov

8Inquire if bus can be decorated?
8Notify the Site Coordinator in advance about parking for a bus.
Make this notation to discuss with the company and driver during your 2-month timeline meeting.
8Be prepared to visit site of bus to inspect the exterior of vehicles if at all possible.
8Ask whether buses are cleaned inside and out before picking up passengers?
8Inquire whether another bus would be available in the event of a breakdown?

Etiquette Tip: Guest Transportation
Saturday Bus/Tour
Hire a bus to introduce visitors to the wedding town. Include tours of museums-appropriate to each age group. Historic sites might appeal to older guests; hands-on science exhibits could interest children.

It is considerate for the wedding hosts to arrange transportation around town, or at least back and forth to the ceremony and reception sites, for all out of town guests. Some couples arrange for a bus or vans to transport all guests. Others arrange for limousines or ask wedding attendants and other close friends to provide rides.

Etiquette Tips:
Charter Buses and Bus Tours
Charter and sightseeing bus drivers receive no tip. However, some chartered buses and sightseeing bus services provide guides or driver guides. Passengers generally tip $1 per person for this service, but it is not obligatory. On a prolonged tour, driver and guide (if there are both) are tipped $5 to $10 depending on the length of the tour, unless gratuities are included in the fare. The person in charge of a private charter sometimes asks for contributions of $1 a person as a tip for the driver.

Texas Tragedy
15 Aboard Bus Killed Enroute to Pilgrimage
Illegal Charter Transported Vietnamese-American Group
August 9, 2008 The Blade

An unlicensed charter bus carrying a Vietnamese-American Catholic group on a pilgrimage to a religious festival blew an illegally treaded tire and skidded off a highway early yesterday, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens, authorities said.

The bus operator, Iguala Bus-Mex Inc. of Houston, had applied in June for a federal license to operate, as a charter but was awaiting approval, according to online records.

The company recently filed incorporation papers, listing the same owner and address as Angel Tours Inc, Which was forced by federal regulators to take its vehicles out of interstate service June 23 after an unsatisfactory review, records show.

Party Bus Rental Services by Andy
Party bus for Rental services provides the best amenities for a luxurious and comfortable travel to passengers. Party bus Rental services are designed to suit every customer's specific needs and budget.

About Trail ways and its services
Trail ways is a renowned bus transportation company that provides bus rental services ranging from luxury motor coaches, mini buses, and executive coaches for a luxurious travel experience in a cost effective manner. All the bus services offered by Trail ways are equipped with professional and experienced drivers who ensure high safety standards and provide a safe and comfortable journey to the passengers who travel along with them.

Trail ways has been in existence more than 71 years and has been serving wide range of customers as a franchisee organization. It comprises of independently run transport companies alone with other agencies in conjunction and offers variety of services including bus charter rentals, scheduled tours, bus charters, shuttle sight seeing tours with party bus for rental services, mini coaches for airport bus transfer and drop facilities.

Party Bus Rental Services-Trail ways
Trail ways provides exclusive party bus rental services that are suitable for Prom parties, Bachelor parties, Bachelorette parties, birthday parties and wedding parties among others. These party bus rental services consist of the best amenities that are provided with professionally experienced drivers for a safe and comfortable journey. The passengers get to have a whole lot of fun combined entertainment and can be rest assured that they are in safe hands of the driver.

These party bus rental services comprises of special party buses that have a large seating capacity with a lot of entertainment options ranging from hi-fi stereos and music systems among others. Trail ways Transportation System takes care of all the passengers traveling needs creating the perfect party ambience while traveling from one party destination to the other. And these party bus rental services not only offer high degree of comfort and entertainment but they are cost effective and affordable too.

Terms and Conditions
All the contracts need to be signed and handed over within 10 days of making booking along with a 25% deposit.

Trail ways bus experience!
Trail ways is the ultimate when it comes to bus traveling options, which provides a wide range of options to the customers with easy payment mode using credit cards through their websites. They can be easily reached by contacting various travel agencies and trail ways like Prairie Trail ways and Orange Belt Trail ways among others who work with them. Trail ways operates around regions of Canada, Northwest, West, Midwest, Southwest, Northeast, and Southwest, Northeast, and southeast among others.

Trail ways Transportation System provides exclusive party bus for rental services along with mini bus rental, Motor Coach Rental and Tour bus rental facilities.

You can reach them at www.trailways.com for more information on their services.

About the author: Andy is a very well known author who writes on topics like Ski Tour, Sightseeing Tour etc. for the www.trailways.com

Travel Cards: Enclose travel cards to let guests know that you’ve chartered a bus or ferry to get them to a distant or out of the way site.

Special transportation cards
A private bus will leave Saint Mary’s Parish Hall at three o’clock in the afternoon and arrive back in Washington at ten o’clock in the evening. Please present this card to the driver.

Maps
You can insert maps and directions to the wedding sites in a number of ways. You may enclose them with the invitation or you may mail them after you have received an affirmative response to your invitation. Sometimes maps are provided by the ceremony and/or reception sites. If they are not, you will have to order them or design them yourself. Be sure your directions are clear and accurate and that they are written in as concise and abbreviated a manner as possible to avoid adding extra bulk to the invitation.

Parking Valet
Mishaps & Disasters
The groom’s sister’s car was vandalized during the wedding.

Another Viewpoint
The Father of the Bride Asks: Do I Need to Hire Parking Security for a Home Wedding?

Q: Our daughter is getting married and is having her reception in our backyard. Unlike that at hotels or wedding facilities, we don't have valet parking or official security. We have made plenty of room in our driveway and on the streets for parking, but we want to make sure our guests' cars are secure. What can we do?

A: You may want to arrange parking security for your guests' cars. For a reception that is held at a private residence, you should first call the police to find our about local ordinances so that guests' cars won't get ticketed or towed. If the area already has considerable traffic congestion, you may need an off-duty police officer or a security guard or even valet parking attendants. When hiring parking security, check that the company is fully insured and licensed, and ask that any parking attendants be neatly dressed and courteous. It is better to have experienced drivers and attendants than to hire neighborhood teens to move cars. Ensure that there are enough attendants to patrol the lots or areas where guests will be parking.

Things Your Reception Site Won't Tell You
"We're going to soak your guests for high parking/valet fee!"

Find out about all the special fees before you book a reception site. You might miss the fine print about the parking or valet fees if you don't have a microscope. Many urban sites find that they can pad the bill by charging for parking and/or valet fees. This is always negotiable. Be sure to point out the entire amount you'll be spending at their facility and then sweetly suggest they can "do better" on some of the ridiculous extras. If you don't ask, expect to pay top dollar.

Parking Attendants
If you are hiring an independent parking attendant, make sure he is insured and licensed to drive for pay. You are trusting your guests’ cars and valuables inside their cars to these attendants.

Discuss the rates and gratuities. Some companies charge based on the number of guests you have and others on the actual number of cars parked. Negotiate fees for large groups. Inquire about the number of attendants/valets per site. Most companies include gratuities in the fees. If gratuities are prepaid, the parking attendant should post a sign to that effect so guests will know that the gratuities have been taken care of.

Get a copy of the proof of insurance before you sign the contract and pay a deposit.

If your wedding or reception is at a fine hotel or restaurant, it may have valet parking available. Discuss rates per car and gratuities. For large parties negotiate a reduction in per car fees. Hotels often subcontract the valet parking services out to other companies. Check for proof of insurance to be safe.

Last Minute Wedding Disasters
The father of one bride announced on the microphone to the happy, dancing throngs at the reception. "The cars of everyone here who parked on State Street have been towed away by the Police Department and have been impounded across town." Then he put all the couples and families whose cars were involved into the chartered bus that had carried wedding attendants and family from the church to the reception. The bus driver took them to the car pound with the flamenco band from the reception on board, too, playing merrily away throughout the trip. The driver had also been given a large check to be turned over to the police to pay for the release of all the impounded cars.

Garage Attendants
If you have a car parked in a garage while you go to the theater or to dinner, tip the attendant who brings you car to you $1.

Parking Garage
If the ceremony or reception does not have parking available, reserve space in a nearby parking garage. Indicate which parking garage to use if you’ve reserved space ahead of time. If you are paying for spaces for your guests, the parking facility should post a sign to that effect to inform guest.

Parking Garage
Q: Adam's car was vandalized while it was parked in a commercial garage. Is the garage owner responsible for the damage?

A: If the garage is one where Adam parks his own car, locks it and keeps the keys, the garage owner has no duty to protect Adam's car and is not responsible for the damage done to it. Adam is considered to be renting or leasing space from the garage owner. On the other hand, if Adam gives his car keys to an attendant who parks the car, the law expects the garage owner to care for Adam's car in the same way he would care for his own property. For example, if the owner left the garage unattended and the vandals came in during that time, or if an attendant vandalized Adam's car, the garage owner would be responsible for the damage.

Parking-arrangements card
Parking provided
McKenzie Parking Garage
2018 Main Street
Gratuities included. Please present this card to the parking attendants.

Etiquette Tip
Travel cards are also used to inform guests that you’ve arranged for them to park at a nearby garage. The card can serve as an admission pass if you’ve arranged to pick up the cost and gratuity.

Parking Lot Danger
Terry was a beautiful blonde, and she often drew admiring stares. In fact, a man had approached her the day before in the parking lot of her college and told her she should be a model.

Q:The car rental people said that for a little extra, she could get a "collision damage waiver". Should Audrey have taken it?

A:The waiver would protect Audrey from liability for damage to the rental car if she was involved in a collision, regardless of who was at fault. If Audrey rejects the waiver, she will have to pay for any collision damage to the rental car. However, since most automobile insurance policies also cover the use of a rental car, Audrey should check her own policy-if she is already covered, she doesn't need the collision damage waiver. Some rental companies also offer options that cover personal injury. Again, if Audrey is already covered by her own insurance, she doesn't need extra protection.

Q: What happens if I have an accident while driving a rental car?

A: Your liability depends on your own automobile insurance and the type of agreement you sign with the car rental agency. Some car rental agreements would make you liable for everything; with others you would be responsible up to a fixed dollar amount. The car rental agency cannot hold you liable if 1) you paid extra for collision and bodily injury coverage, or if 2) your own automobile insurance covers you for an accident with a rental car.

Mishap & Disaster
I was a bridesmaid in a wedding where my escort’s car broke down. We had to get a rental car.

Rental car industry pursuing customers for tiniest damage
The Ford Escape that Karen Anderson recently returned to Budget Rent a Car in Bend, Oregon, “looked squeaky clean” to her. But perhaps she did not look hard enough.

Less than a week after her trip, Ms. Anderson, a real-estate broker in Morgan Hill, California was told by Budget that she would be charged an extra $20 for a chip found in the sport utility vehicle’s windshield.
“I never saw the chip” she said. “We even went through the trouble of washing the windshield before returning the car. Honestly I was stunned.

She says that Budget told her that if she did not pay the fee, the case would be forwarded to a company that specializes in collecting damage claims, and she says she was warned that if she did not settle quickly, an extra fee might be added for the three days the car would be out of service for repairs.

In the past, car rental companies were willing to overlook minor damage to their vehicles, particularly when evidence of the renter’s responsibility was flimsy. Not any more. The industry, slow to recover from the travel slump after Sept 11th, now appears bent on pursuing even the smallest cases.

“Car rental companies are getting much more aggressive about their claims,” said Jeff Miller, a travel lawyer with the firm of Lipshultz & Miller in Columbia, Md. Chasing down customers who scratch or dent cars, he said, “is a growth business”.

After Ms. Anderson refused to pay the $20, PurCo Fleet Services, one of the largest and most established damage claims services for the car rental industry, told her that it was adding a $10 “administrative fee” to her bill and gave her 30 days to respond.

Kevin Miles, the president of the American Car and Truck Rental Association, a trade group, says car rental companies have a good reason to take a hard line on claims. Not only do the damages eat away profits. Enterprise Rent a Car, the largest car rental company in the United States, says it loses about 60 million a year because of uncollectible damages), but increasingly, the insurance companies of customers are reluctant to pay for dents in vehicles.

“We’re not in the business of alienating customers,” he said, “but if your insurance company doesn’t pay, you have to.”

Christy Conrad, a spokeswoman for Enterprise, one of the few car-rental companies to manage its damage claims rather than farm them out, says the intent should not be to stick renters with a bill but rather “to make the situation right”.

“We don’t work to make money off the claims-management process”, she said. “We just want the vehicle back in service. That’s where we make the money”.

Money Saving Tips
Use your auto club’s regular discounts
Use traveler’s checks that can be used at face value and do not charge a service fee.
Reserve your car ahead of time so you are not left renting a van at extra cost because it is all they have left.

Do your Homework!
**** is one of the car rental companies has an agreement with my car insurance company to rent cars within the policy limits set by my insurance company. They confirmed that they would stay within limits, bill direct and not charge me. I choose them because they offered a better car than the other companies that work with my car insurance company.

****was supposed to pick me up. Their location is 1 mile away from my house. It is a very straightforward route. They told me the driver was on the way. I waited for ½ hour in the hot sun.

When we finally got to **** the paperwork had not been started. A new employee was being trained on my order. They had computer problems. They told me the price was higher than what was agreed. They said if I accepted a cheaper, smaller, and less safe, car they would stay within the policy limits.

All the while it was getting closer to my doctor’s appointment. I had just gotten hit a few days before by a truck and my car was totaled. I needed medical care. They knew this. I said no, and went elsewhere.

I wrote ***CEO *** *** to complain. He gave the letter to *** ****, the Executive Administrator of Customer Relations. She sent me a form letter. She said nothing about the bait and switch, nothing about being late to pick me up, training their employee on my time. She reiterated the customer must pay if the insurance company does not. This was not the agreement. I would not have counted on ****if they told me I would have to pay extra charges. ***ripped me off.

I also wrote the CEO of my insurance company and asked them to stop doing business with ****.Ripped off by ****All over the USA, Oklahoma

Are you Covered When you Rent a Car?
June 11, 2008 The Toledo Journal

While some personal auto insurance policies will cover you up to your policy limits for personal injury and property damage you cause while driving any vehicle, including a rental vehicle, others will not. Also, even if you your liability coverage includes a rental vehicle, if you don't also have comprehensive and collision insurance, you may be held personally liable for any damage you cause to the rental vehicle.

Q: Isn't my insurance company required to cover a rental car no matter what?

A: No. While some states require insurance companies to cover rentals regardless of the circumstances, coverage in Ohio is purely a matter of contract between the insurance company and its customer, and insurance policy terms will vary. If your policy is not clear on this, consult with your insurance company, insurance agent or an attorney before assuming you will be covered.

Q: If my insurance company doesn't cover me when I drive a rental car, might I still be covered for a loaner car to drive while my own car is being repaired?

A: Maybe. Some individual policies that don't cover rental vehicles still will give you limited coverage for a "temporary replacement vehicle" to be used while your own car is being serviced. Not all policies offer such coverage, and there may be restrictions that may include a time limit on the use of the loaner vehicle. Verify that your own policy has liability coverage for claims of third parties as well as comprehensive and collision coverage for damage to the loaner vehicle.

The dealership or body shop providing the loaner car may have a policy that provides customers with liability coverage and even comprehensive and collision coverage for damage to the loaner vehicle. The insurance carrier for such a policy may, however, "subrogate" or seek payment from you or your insurance carrier if you should need to make a claim.

Q: Won't the rental company's insurance cover me?

A: Rental companies in all states, including Ohio, must show proof of "financial responsibility" (usually insurance or a bond) on the vehicles they rent to consumers. When you rent a car, however, most companies require you to agree to shift coverage to your personal carrier, and they often take the position that your personal insurance company is primary. This means that your own insurance would pay before the rental company's insurance, and even if the rental company's insurance did apply, it might provide only minimum financial limits. If neither your personal auto policy nor the rental company's insurance will pay, you can be held personally liable for any damage you cause to people and property. If your personal policy will not cover you in a rental vehicle, then consider buying supplemental coverage from the rental company for the time you have the rental vehicle.

Q: What if I don't own a car and don't have car insurance at all?

A: In Ohio it is against the law to drive without insurance. If you don't have a non-owner's policy of insurance, you may be able to buy a supplemental liability policy from a rental company that is also authorized to sell insurance.

Law You Can Use is a consumer legal information column provided by the Ohio State Bar Association. This article was originally prepared by attorney Deborah Zaccaro. It was updated by Linda Ruse, an attorney with the Nationwide office in Canfield. Articles appearing in this column are intended to provide broad, general information about the law.Before applying this information to a specific legal problem, readers are urged to seek advice from an attorney.

Auto Rentals
Federal law does not cover short-term car and truck rentals, but some state laws do. Contact your local state or local consumer protection office for information or to report a complaint. Source: Consumer Action Handbook
Ask in advance if there are any charges that might increase the stated rental rate. For example, there may be airport surcharges and drop-off fees, insurance fees, fuel charges, mileage fees, taxes, and equipment rental fees (for items such as ski racks and car seats).

Ask if the rental care company checks the driving records of potential customers. A company may check for violations when you arrive at the counter. You may be rejected even if you have a confirmed reservation.

Check in advance to be sure you aren’t duplicating insurance coverage. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is an optional charge of $9 to $13 a day by the rental company. If you decline to pay extra for CDW you accept responsibility for any damages to the car. CDW does not pay for bodily injuries or damages to your personal property. Rental companies also may sell loss of use and liability insurance. If you’re traveling on business, your employer may have insurance that covers you. Rental protections may also be provided through your personal auto insurance, a motor club membership, or the credit card you use to pay for rentals.

Carefully inspect the vehicle and its tires before renting.

Check refueling policies and charges.

Ask if there is a refundable charge being made to your credit card. At the time you pick up your car, a company may make a charge of hundreds of dollars to your credit card. Most companies do not process the amount unless you fail to return the car as specified in your rental contract. If it is processed, your credit card spending limit may be reduced by the amount of the deposit bringing you near or over your credit card limit and creating problems when you try to make other transactions with the card. If you don’t want to charge the deposit, companies may ask for the deposit in cash.

Transportation Tips
Don't be afraid to compare prices. Renting a car for your wedding day could cost as little as $39 an hour or as much as almost quadruple that.

In my opinion, full service on the wedding day includes picking up you and your father at home and transporting you to the church, taking you and your groom and whomever else to the reception, and then taking you and your groom to a hotel or airport afterwards.

Some transportation companies offer a number of different cars, some of different make and model. For example, a specialty car company may have a range of Rolls-Royces, Mercedes Benzes, and Jaguars. However, if it doesn't, don't be afraid to mix and match cars from a variety of companies.

Be clear about the time and date of the wedding and don't forget to give the driver directions.

You should expect a 100 percent refund in case of mechanical failure. Source: John G. Bays owner of Regal Limousine Service